Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1887-01-20

UBET, ". T.. Jan. 18th, 1887.
EpiroRs ARGus.-The residents of the
Gap have sent you written denial OF
Capt. Wagners charge. There is room for
more to be said than a simple denial That
charge ia simply II very lame invention Of
that gentleman's imagination. under
which he seeks to conceal the real cause OF
the utter failure and fixzle OF his expedi-
ton. his own cowardice and incapacity.
Your readers have had sample Of what
is in Capt. Wugner's report; they may be
interested in some things that are not in
that report.
will bet my old hat against Capt. Wag-
ner's epaulets, land the one is about Ms
much an evidence of military ability and
bravery in the aearer as the other that
the fact that his command saw seventy
odd Indians and only made prisoners of
one old mare and colt. did not occupy
much space in that report. The fact, that
/ lie never once entered the saddle during
his whole sojourn upon Buffalo creek, was
not dwelt upon at length. The fact, that
| the number Of times he venturcd some
three hundred yards from his tent, can be
counted upon the fingers Of one hand, was
not paraded before his superior officer, in
order to secure his early promotion, on the
ground Of bravery in the field" The Tact,
that hc was despises by his command, and
earned the contempt Of all citizens who be-
came aware OF his conduct while on But
falo creek, WAS reserved for his own med
itations.
What can I've expected Of troop headed
by such an officer? What AN example to
set to secure obedience, vigilance and ener-
setic action. Properly Differed, his men
are probably as good as the average; under
him they were good for nothing. They de-
ceiyed him right and left. They occupied
themselves shooting game, which they
traded fer whisky. one squad captured "A
couple OF horses, which instead Of bringing
into camp, they offered for sale, privately,
to the wood-choppers. Their scouting
, parties reminded one Of that famous fight
, in, regiment of old. that first marched
out in fierce array. and then marched back
again." Time and again Indians were re-
. ported and they would leave camp capt,
W. excepted with great hullabulloo
, but once outside of camp, their enthusi
asn disappeared. and they soon returned
empty handed, with the well worn excuse
, Lost the trail" They did not want amy
. Indians they had not lost amy.
q But let Us give the devil his due. ih'
command Capt ". not excepted) un
doubleday saved some human life by con
: Stunning unlimited quantities Of bad whisky
, which otherwise might have paralyzcd I
respectable white man, and, in barterin
u for this whisky, they distributed larg
" quantities Of cheap ammunition among tn
= citizens. which will lie useful, in case tn
Indians. whom they did not catch, shout
" become troublesome.
One word to the military powers that b,
u (Gen. Il. please take notice. send N
T" more professional coffee-cooieis like Capt
u Wagner. Retire them to the hospital sci
u vice whence he was resurrccted, and sen
!" out rustlers like the lieutenant, of For
H. Shaw, who captured the Indians that Capt
u W. and his outfit let go by. Give the sci
tiers credit for som. sense. Instead
'" taking il for granted. that the Indians il
- form the settlers of their movement
!" know that they are FAR more shy Of iettir
;" the settlers see them. than they are of II
'' soldiers. 'ompare Capt Garvey's rcpoi
I" of last year. making favorable mention
u citizens of the Gap, with Capt, Wagner
!" absurliti.s Do not tie the soldier
~ hands and give his courage II black eye. J.
y forbid,ling him to shoot at an Indian u
=" less he il shot at. Last year the soldie
IL decla red that those were their orders III
H. the men Of Capt. w. troop asserted Il
same with one escepti"n; and the captain
parting command to detachment alo,
to leave camp was. NOW bo.ce, don
81, ioot." Such "A method il perfect fare
The Indian knows he is in no danger
long ~ he docs not shoot, and he will RI
IT, if a whole regiment is within ten fee,
him. and the chances are he gets away.
n. The new departure turning over to IL
civil authorities. Indians captured wit
nj STOLEN horses in their possession, il a pror
A. Using beginning. for q new era 81 comma
sense in Indiun management. God spe'
TN. end EDWARD &. RrssHl..